Rogers brothers lead Abbott Tech football team to season-opening win

Updated 11:37 pm, Friday, September 13, 2013

MIDDLETOWN -- Abbott Tech has quite a one-two punch in Delton and Dominique Rogers, and Vinal Tech/East Hampton found out first-hand Friday night.

The brothers Rogers combined for six touchdowns and Zach Ruscoe threw for a score as Abbott Tech posted a 46-13 victory over Vinal Tech/East Hampton in the season opener for both teams Friday night at Palmer Field.

The win wasn't only a showcase for the Rogers brothers but also a nice start for first-year coach Rich Holmes.

"It was a nice win, a good way for us to start the season," Holmes said. "I though we were able to wear them down in the second half and that speaks to how hard the kids played and the condition they are in."

What helped wear the Bellhawks out was chasing a Rogers brother around the field most of the night. If Delton wasn't battering defenders between the tackles then Dominique was running around and last people on the edges.

"They are quite a one-two punch and we put the ball in the hands of our playmakers and let them win the game for us," Holmes said. "Our skill guys, our quarterback they were the difference between the two teams."

Delton Rogers opened the scoring with a 51-yard touchdown run up the sideline to make it 7-0 in the first quarter. Vinal Tech/East Hampton took advantage of an Abbott Tech turnover to even the score at 7-7 with 11:35 left in the opening half and then theWolverines took command.

On third and short Abbott Tech quarterback Zach Ruscoe hit Dylan Shiland on a nice play-action pass for a 53-yard touchdown to give the Wolverines a 14-7 lead. Later in the second quarter Delton Rogers struck again as this time it was Abbott Tech that took advantage of a turnover.

After Lexus Payton recovered a Bellhawks fumble at midfield with 3:57 left in the half, Abbott Tech gashed the Vinal Tech/East Hampton with its run game. It took just five plays for the Wolverines to cover 50 yards and Delton Rogers covered the final 12, getting a fortuitous bounce on a fumble at the two, and plunging in for his second score of the game.

Abbott Tech led 21-7 at the half and then Dominique Rogers took over in the second half to put the game away. He scored on runs of eight, 45 and 23-yards in the third quarter as the Wolverines blew the game open and took a 39-7 lead into the fourth.

"We talked at the half about coming out and playing hard and playing better," Dominique Rogers said. "I was able to make some plays and we did a good job in the third quarter jumping on them."

Vinal Tech/East Hampton scored its second touchdown of the game in the fourth quarter, but Dominique Rogers answered with a 75-yard kickoff return to cap the scoring.

"I was so proud of my brother and pumped for him," Delton Rogers said. "He played a great game."

So did Delton and what is scary for the rest of the CSC is that the 6-2, 240-pound junior is only going to get better. He spent last season playing on the offensive and defensive lines and has room to grow as a runner.

"I was really hyped for this game and to play running back," Delton Rogers said. "The line did a great job blocking and then it was just up to me to make plays. It felt good to run the ball and deliver a few blows instead of just hitting someone and blocking every play."